brianw430

I hope this has not been done to death, as I have searched and have not found a reasonable direction to my question. I'm looking at find a daily driver and am torn between the looks of the two door CL and the complete comfort of the S class!

I have an option on two different models:

2000 CL500 with 31,500 miles for ~$31,000
2002 S430 with 46,000 miles for ~$27,000

I have not yet checked the service history or MVI report as of today for either vehicle.

I have been reading about reliability issues, and this is a concern, but if I were to choose one of these two models what are the overall opinions here. I realize this is the CL forum, but I am also going to post this in the S forum.

I also have no direct need for two versus four doors, I just like the looks of the CL, but love the comfort of the S.

Thank you for any insight!

Musikmann

If all other things are basically equal (I think both mileages are insignificant), I'd buy the newer 2002 S430.

You didn't say who has these cars, but if an MB dealer has the S430 try to get it as a CPO. It should be new enough to still qualify age-wise. I doubt that the CL500 does, but it might too if it was sold late into the model year. The peace-of-mind of having their Starmark warranty is worth a few extra dollars.

Good luck with whatever you buy!

MBZW210

Get the CL, its such a sweet car and less common. But on both, get a warranty.

brianw430

musikmann, good advice on the CPO!

MBZW210, you say the CL, but your signature says "unreliable" on your CL600...given that, would you purchase another CL?

MBZW210

Its unreliable, but its not like any other high end benz is any different, S, Cl, SL I see them in the shop along with mine all the time for similar problems. As long as you have a warranty at least you don't have to shell out $5K each time like what I did before I bought an aftermarket warranty.

I say if you are gonna pay for expensive maintenance and questionable reliability anyway, you might as well get something nice and exotic looking. But then again thats just my opinion, the S is a nice car, but its very typical and I see tons of people driving them.

HLG600

Look for a later year CL500 or even CL55 (N/A) if you want two doors. 2000 was the first year of production and was a major problem year. An 01-02 would be a better bet.

bltserv

CL not so bad.

My 2000 CL500 has 56K Miles.
It has had its ABC issue.
Bubbles in the glass. And is at the dealer right now for a CE light
and the trunk not sucking. I mean "close assist".
But overall. Not a bad car for a first year model.
Dependable and looks great.
Add the later model tail lense and it looks like a 2006.
CL`s are not as common.

I have 2 customers with S430`s that have had WAY more
electronic issues with their cars. Both have traded out.
One to a Hummer. Bigger problems.
The other to a E350 and happier.

I would take the CL if the ABC has been replaced
and is single owner. 31K is low miles and should be the better deal.

brianw430

The ABC issue is something I will make sure is remedied prior to purchase, as well as an extended warranty. I also realize a majority of these forums are to discuss "fixes" and other "issues" and the reader ends up digesting a lot of problems associated with these cars. Nice to hear the positives as well. There is only one CL locally...so yes, it is unique to my area. I'll keep looking for an '01-'02 CL or '02-'03 S Class.

v8plus4

I have a CL600, and the only issues I have ever had are minor, i.e. the "bubbling glass" thing, little glitches with the TPMS, etc. Nothing major. It has been almost flawless for 38k miles. It's been in the shop for all FSS services and maybe a couple of unscheduled visits in 4 years. I had the dealer give it a head to toe inspection a couple of weeks ago, and he found no issues, no leaks, no codes, nothing at all wrong except worn rear tires. That's my fault, not the car's .

From my personal experience, I highly recommend the CL. With prices in freefall, I doubt you can get more car for the money right now. Not a bad idea to get an extended warranty, though, as well as a full pre-purchase inspection by an MB dealer, or an independent that knows these autos.

Best of luck!

MBZW210

Get the CL.

yeuchau

of course CL500

brianw430

Thank you for the replies.

I have been doing some general searches on eBay, cars.com and autotrader just to get an overall feel for the CL market. I happened to call on one in Chicago located at a small, high end luxury dealer. The salesman I spoke with was also the owner of this particular CL. We got to talking about the soft used car market and he said alot of the cars they buy are from south Florida, and he also sells to a lot of people located in south Florida. Just found that interesting, as I did read on this forum about the excess in luxury used cars there. People in S. Florida want the latest and greatest and turn their cars over every couple of years...a good place to shop. Anyway he had a beautiful black on black with a 3 year extended warranty that covered the car up to 92,000 miles. He said he just had the "comp. pump" replaced under warranty. It has 68,900 miles and looked flawless. He is asking $31,000, which I thought was high, but given the extended warranty and the new comp. pump...maybe not? Your thoughts?

Another reason for considering the S class was the option of getting the
4matic for winters. I have never had a 4matic and have always driven an E class with no trouble, so I imagine the CL would be no different. This is going to be my daily driver...which means snow!

bltserv

What year is the black CL500 ?

Black is a tough color to keep looking good.
I mean you are going to be cleaning it daily.

Only takin my CL500 in the snow a couple times.
Not much snow in So Cali. It handled well when we went skiing.
Its so damn heavy it just gets good traction.
And the "Up Botton" works good for chains.
It really handles the wet road nicely when it does rain here.
Unlike my SL55 which is a nightmere to play with in the rain.

brianw430

It is a 2001 CL500. Most all the CL's I've looked at have been quite loaded, but what were the available options on this year? This particular CL has the heated/cooled/massaging seats, which I do not think all CL's had.

bltserv

All of them have the heated Seats.
Those are real handy for Iowa type weather.
Has 2 settings. Hot and hotter. Stays on for like 15 Minutes then you have to hit the button again. I use mine in the SL when the tops down on cold
clear evenings cruising the coast road. As long as your backside is warm
the rest of you stays warm.

The message seats is not standard. I have in my SL.
Its OK. But nothing special. The cooled seats
is another not so usual option. Again. Nothing special.
Just blows air. Its not cooled at all. Helps prevent swampass
on hot days.

For a loaded 2001 with extended. $31K a little high.
Bet he would take a tad lower and it would be a good deal.
Make sure you get a copy of the warranty and verify its transferable
if its an aftermarket warranty. Get a copy of the service record too.
Any Benz dealer can print it for you.

CL is a great daily driver. Just not the best 4 seater. Those back seats
really lack legroom. Good luck !!

brianw430

bltserv, you've been a great help, thank you! The owner said it is an extended warranty from MB that was purchase "long ago" whatever that means. It is good until 2008 or 92,000 miles. I have the VIN and will have the dealer run the VMI report.

It supposedly has the sport package, with front and rear sport bumper and side skirts, 18" chrome AMG wheels, AMG tail pipes, wood steering wheel, parktronic, power trunk close. $29,000 a decent price?

Thanks again for the info!

bltserv

Brian
Sounds like its worth a trip to for a test drive.
$ 29K sounds real good with a MBZ warranty.
Warranty is the deal maker on this car.
I have the extended as well.
Buying a car like this without warranty is a No No.
I am sure the pump he is talking about is the ABC.
There is no SBC brakes in a 2001 CL.
Parktronic is nice. Got it in my CL too.
Wish I had it in my SL55.

I have had my CL for 3 Years. It is a great ride.
Just be aware. Every 25K miles. Brakes and Tires.
Its just a consumable on this car.
Tire rotation another big thing. Or they will cup out.

If you get the car
Go get the late model tail lights.
About $ 375.00 on E-bay.
Then there is no difference between the look of your
2001 CL500 and a 2006.

Good luck !!!!

brianw430

bltserv, thank you again. I have to call him this afternoon and try and arrange schedules for a drive. I am having him fax me the extended warranty, I will not be convinced of the provider until I see it. Yes, I read your post on the SBC pump and not the ABC pump, I'm sure he just got them confused. No worries on the tires brakes, pretty much the same on my CLK55. Thanks for the tip on the tail light, one of many things I will need to learn if I pick one of these up!

Thanks again, this forum is worth its weight in gold!

blazinginder

go with aleast an 02-03 CL if you awant a CL..otherwise just get 02-03 S500

MBZW210

$29 is good, go for it. The cheapest I've seen these cars is in the mid 20's then you have to factor 3-4K for aftermarket warranty, and some of those suck. For 29K with MB warranty thats really worth it. Plus its relatively high miles on that car so you'll be using some of that warranty pretty soon. Water pump, ABC, misc little things. Good luck, you're getting alot of car with under $30K. I wish I bought mine now.

bltserv

Brian

Keep us updated on your deal for the CL500.

I put mine in the dealer on Thursday morning.

1. CE light comming on and clearing every few days.
Its the O2 sensor again. 2nd one for this car.
2. Trunk is not doing its close assist thing. No suckee
SA said it was the bellows ?????
3. Sounds like a belt/pulley is making some rumble
noise I can hear in my garage when I pull her in at idle.
4. As always the stupid ball joint creek "knows" to not do its thing
as soon as it pulls up to the dealer. So that ailment will wait
yet again.

Dealer say I can pick up on Monday. Looks like all warranty covered.
This would be about $ 600.00.

Damn. I guess the SL55 will get a few extra miles this weekend.
And the weather is nice. Looks like a top down Saturday in Cali.

brianw430

Outdated update...the owner sold the CL500 shortly after I talked to him about setting up a test drive. I did have a chance to drive an '01 CL500 and what a great ride! My only concern is the lack of rear seating. I will need leg room in the rear. I had no idea the seating was this small. I think I am going to have to wait for a CL simply due to the rear seats. I think my CLK has larger rear seats. The search continues...

Thanks everyone for your input!

Sevans11

I have a 2000 CL500 and I want to do some type of customizing to it.



I want to look at some upgrades or customizing on my 2000 cl. Any ideas or photos would be appreciated

tusabes

Lambo doors




I love your color - almost same as mine

Sevans11

Sweet! What's a ballpark cost to convert to Lambo doors?